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Airborne 12.09.16

Raises For Mechanics And Techs

With a
handful of unsettled issues decided this week by an arbitrator,
Alaska Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association
have concluded a new, two-year contract covering the airline's
2,240 aircraft technicians and fleet service employees. The
contract became amendable in December 2002.
The arbitrator awarded a 5 percent increase for technicians and 4
percent increase for fleet service employees for the term the
contract. Technicians at steps 1 through 4 received a slightly
greater increase.

New Pension Plan, Too

The award adopts the new enhanced defined-contribution pension
plan for new employees and provides current employees the choice --
the same as for some other work groups and management - to move
into the same enhanced defined-contribution plan or remain in their
existing defined-benefit plan. The award also resolved several
issues concerning employee license premiums and severance pay as
well as other work-rule and contract issues. All other points of
the contract had been ratified previously.

Alaska's technicians are responsible for all work in the
specialized aircraft equipment shops, maintenance bases, company
buildings and equipment. The fleet service employees are
responsible for the cleaning and arranging of aircraft
interiors.